Its not for me...

[Danone]

I've always felt a lot 'cooler' than those guys at Swinley Forest on my classic hardtail despite a few weird looks, i've never really taken notice and i wouldn't let it affect me as i'm confident in my bike and my riding abilities.

They choose to race each other downhill and rarely have to pedal! Whereas, i prefer challenging myself on hill climbs, so i'm usually a lot fitter than them. I like seeing the look on some of their faces when i make it to the top without breaking a sweat! :shock:

Most of the riders up there are rich kids with all the gear and no idea! Having said that, i do get some respect from some of the more experienced older guys.

 

[Osella]

Just my two-penneth.. I agree with brocklanders023 in the main..

Yes, full-suspension can mean downhill, but it was still back in the days of retro (just!) that Paul Lazenby was riding a full-sus Marin in XC. (even if it was nearly locked out )

It makes me laugh when I hear people praising their DH bikes because they weigh 'under 40Lb' :shock: But realistically, most shocks, brakes etc don't need servicing any more often than the old retro gear - and I've certainly never snapped a hydraulic brake line, but Canti's.. yeah.. a few.

I love bikes old and new, and really most 'middle-ground' bikes are pretty much the same deal. If you like going downhill and uphill, and want to get out on a 5-mile ride in open countryside, there are many modern bikes out there which can do just that. Hell, they even still make rigid's these days!!...
It might seem like the lingo has all changed, but then again we were all talking about 'XC' and 'Canti's' and 'berms' and 'singletrack' back in the day, and probably seemed like lunatics to the previous generation of 'dad's' too..

All-Mountain is basically the catch-all term for what 'used' simply to be known as Mountain Biking, and just because a bike is full-sus doesn't mean it can't out-climb the best of them, and it can still weigh less than 30Lb, fully-suspended, and cost less than a grand, and be reliable, which all equals MASSIVE FUN!! (and yes, I hate knee pads and armour too, and think a bike that can't go up hills is just a wheeled toboggan!)

 

[highlandsflyer]

You can pick up a quality, light, retro full susser XC monster for £300 day in day out.

It is a broad church, all terrain biking. Long may that be!

 

[Skinwhistle]

Lol.... Don't quote me!!!!

I only live 4 miles from the mountain gate, so have some really good trails around here!!! And to be honest I only live another 3 miles from that (as the crow flies) to Llandegla, I do keep saying I will venture over there?!? And maybe I should?!?
I maybe don't realise how lucky I am to have good rides on the doorstep, and Trail centres are ideal for people who need to travel to experience the great out doors, but maybe don't want the frustration of not knowing where or which way might be a good ride?!?
See you out there

 

[Chute55uk]

I don't really like MBUK now and don't often buy it but I do sometimes wonder if it's still aimed at the same age group it's just that we're not it any more. :cry:

Oh, that's just hit home for me